The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-12-16
Ladies Department.
Some Ideas for Christmas Work.

with scarlet plush. Cut it with q
good turn in, and then later with
needle and strong silk stitch the
threads across from one side to the
other, end to end, on the under side,
until it is taut and smooth. From
stout pasteboard make the sides of
little box that should measure one
and half inches square and half an
inch in depth; have a strip of plush
q trifle over an inch wide and long
enough to go around; haste it neatly
over the outside, and let the super
fluous width come trifle more at
top than bottom; lay the folds at the
inner corners smooth and even, then
glue the velvet to the pasteboard.
When dry, this frame or case for the
glass inkwell must be neatly glued
Just inside the right hand corner of
the covered board. The ring of
plush covered pasteboard that serves
to keep iii place the little brush for
wiper is one inch in height and three
in circumference; it must be well
glued at the lower left corner. just
opposite the ink and same distance
inside the corner. Just between the
two is another ring an inch and
half high, its diameter sufficiently
large for easy slipping in and out of
the pen handle. Three little wooden
pillars and bar are needed; the
former are square. half an inch wide
and double that in height; when COW
cred. they are glued at equal dis.
tances apart just inside the long side,
opposite the ink and pen wiper; the
bar is the length of the foundation
frame, and should be fiat to rest
firmly on top of these, pillars. Di-
rectly over the latter rest as many
owls made from peanuts and tiny
bird feathers. Choose large one
with pronounced bill for papa owl,
who should take the central rest
with two smaller ones for the sides,
or mamma owl herself and q tiny
baby bird. Three little china chick.
ems, plurap and golden, may be glu-
ed on in place Of these peanut owls
but the latter are decidedly the more
effective. Paste heavy black paper
over the under side OF the frame to
conceal the stitches and threads
This little inkstand will be found
very useful, its compactness insur-
ing a warm welcome. A receptacle
Tor holding pens, both used and un-
nsed, might be added at the outside
of the little posts at right and left;
it might be plush, covered cheap
1himbie, or, if the owls are used, pea
nut shells similar to those the China
man carries at either end of his pole.
For certain coy little room,
charming in its lovely coloring of
wall and ceiling, but hideous as to
fricze. was set apart long band Of
Nottingham lace of the narrowest
width: to tell the whole story, time
)ad rendered it unstable, and it was
purchased for song. The pattern
was daisies-nothing else-and when
ainted. the exquisite effect upon the
pink and gray Of the paper! 1t was
:. happy circumstance the cherry pict-
IRE rail was already there, and
would cover nicely that cut edge of
the lace where the scalloped border
Lad been removed. If it is desira.
able to retain this edge, use two or
three shades of one color on it, or
TWO, not more, contrasting colors:
link and gray are effective, while blue
and cream combine we'll: stretch the
Nottingham slightly in putting up,
and fasten above and below, as we'll
as in other places where needed, with
Tiny galvanized tacks that pass un'
noticed. 1t is best to use an extern
zion table as long as the room will
permit, and first stretching three
folds of soft material over, fasten
the lace lightly on top. Use the
Winsor & Newton colors. dilutine
with water in which gum-arabic an6
very little sugar have been dissolv
I'd; put this first in the saucer. ther
the paint, small quantity at time
rubbing we'll with the finger until o
the proper consistency. 1t takes